CHICO — It could be late in February before widespread internet service is restored to residents and businesses burned in the Camp Fire.

It’s not just a matter of restringing cables, according to Comcast representatives.

“Our network was significantly impacted. We lost more than 100 miles of infrastructure during the fire,” spokesperson Adriana Arvizo wrote in an email to this publication on Wednesday.

As soon as the communication company was able to access the ridge, restoration activities began, she said. Like others, Comcast had to deal with trees and other hazards, along with safety concerns and regulatory processes.

What Comcast found through inspecting its facilities and infrastructure was damaged “fiber, the boxes that protect our equipment and everything that goes into servicing a home or business,” Arvizo indicated, explaining the hybrid fiber coax network was destroyed.

Removing the damaged equipment and installing the new, along with dealing “in close coordination with other utility providers and in alignment with the city’s overall restoration efforts and safety guidelines” has been the process.

Arvizo noted that there are no public hot spots in Paradise, Chico and Oroville, because they were damaged by the fire. * She said service has been restored as well to the Paradise town hall, police and fire departments, Cal Fire fire station, Butte County Sheriff’s Office and Adventist Health services because they are essential services.

Places not in Paradise like public libraries, restaurants and offices may have free WiFi.

As far as how customers’ service will be restored, Arvizo said about half the town will be activated at one time “…and the remaining will come on in phases.” It wasn’t clear how long it would take for the entire restoration process to take place, but Arvizo said many factors come into play.

She offered the general phone number 1-800-934-6489 for further information.

* An earlier version indicated there were hot spots but those were damaged in the fire.